COPENHAGEN, (Reuters) – A top member of Russia’s ruling party proposed that foreign-owned factories be nationalized. This was in response to what the Kremlin describes as a special military operation against Ukraine.

Toyota is one of many foreign corporations. Nike IKEA, a home furnishing retailer and IKEA announced the temporary closing of Russian factories and stores in Russia to pressurize the Kremlin into stopping its invasion of neighboring Ukraine.

Andrei Turchak, secretary to the general council of the ruling party said Monday night that closing down operations is a war against Russian citizens.

According to the statement, Paulig and Valio were among those that had announced closures in Russia.

Turchak declared that United Russia would propose to nationalize the production plants of those companies who announce their departure and cease production in Russia in the Special Operation in Ukraine.

This is extreme, but it’s not something we can tolerate. We will defend our citizens and protect their people. “This is a true war not against Russia in its entirety, but against our people,” he stated.

Turchak stated that “We will take hard retaliatory steps, acting in conformity with the laws and war laws.”

Fazer, Valio and others did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment. Paulig did not respond.

Fazer makes bread, chocolate and pastries. There are three Fazer bakeries located in St Petersburg, and one in Moscow. They employ approximately 2,300 workers.

Valio employs 400 Russians in a cheese factory, while Paulig employs 200 in a coffee roastery.

Non-NATO Member Finland agreed last week to improve security ties and ties with the United States, as it watched nervously Russia’s invasion in Ukraine.